Oak Ridge School Board candidate George Below

Name: George Below

Age: 53

Place of Birth: Cape Girardeau, MO

Spouse, children's names

My wife, Debbie, and I have one child, Ryan, a 2014 graduate of Oak Ridge High School. Debbie is employed at Southeast Missouri State University and Ryan attends Lincoln Land Community College in Springfield, IL.

Occupation: Lead Heavy Equipment Instructor

Employer: Mingo Job Corps

Business owned, all or part

Small farm owner in Oak Ridge

Previous offices held or sought

Current member of the Oak Ridge School Board

What makes you the most qualified candidate for this position?

Since joining the Oak Ridge School Board in 2014, I, along with the other members of the board, have worked to balance the annual budget, increase use of technology in the classroom and expand extracurricular activities for students. I have also led and supported efforts to increase collaboration between the Board, the administration, and the community to create a strategic plan and increase fundraising for our district.

What do you see as the opportunities and challenges in the district?

I would like to see Oak Ridge implement an agriculture program in the near future. This would be an enhancement to the curriculum and a popular option with students, as one in five jobs in Missouri are related to the agricultural industry. With respect to challenges, I understand that federal and state resources are limited. Fiscal responsibility is one of my top priorities.

How will you communicate your work to your constituents?

As a board member, it is a priority for me to be actively involved in the district so that I can hear the ideas others have to improve our local community school.

What are the factors on which you will base your decisions as a school board member?

I am committed to making decisions that are in the best interest of the students in our district. It is the responsibility of the board to support the professional development of teachers and to find ways to equip the classroom so that our students will have the skills to further their education and compete for the jobs of the future.